Red Bull have sacked team boss Christian Horner.
Horner, Formula 1’s longest-serving team principal, led Red Bull since its arrival on the grid in 2005.
But his contract, due to run until 2030, has now been terminated with immediate effect. Laurent Mekies has been appointed chief executive.
A statement from Red Bull read: “Red Bull has released Christian Horner from his operational duties with effect from today (Wednesday 9 July 2025) and has appointed Laurent Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing."
Red Bull Group chief executive Oliver Mintzlaff said: "We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years.
"With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula One.
"Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history."
Horner reportedly said his farewells at the team’s factory in Milton Keynes on Wednesday morning.
Standard Sport approached Red Bull for comment.
Horner guided Red Bull to eight drivers’ championships and six constructors’ championships, first with Sebastian Vettel as lead driver and then Max Verstappen.
However, Red Bull's form has slumped, with four-time world champion Verstappen having won only two of the 12 races staged this season. Verstappen finished fifth in Sunday's British Grand Prix at Silverstone - a race that would turn out to be Horner's last in charge.
The shock decision comes a little over a year after Horner, married to former Spice Girls singer Geri Halliwell, survived a scandal involving text messages he allegedly sent a female employee, for which he was twice exonerated of the claims by the Formula One team's parent company, Red Bull GmBH.
Horner has consistently denied the allegations.
Horner lost a number of key figures at Red Bull, with design guru Adrian Newey, chief designer Rob Marshall and sporting director Jonathan Wheatley all departing.
Verstappen's future at Red Bull has also been in the spotlight. His father, Jos, claimed in Bahrain a year ago that Red Bull would "explode" if Horner remained in his role.
Verstappen went on to win a fourth consecutive world last year, but, despite being under contract until 2028, he has been linked with a move away.
Horner was subjected to boos at F1's launch in London in February and McLaren CEO Zak Brown said in an interview with the PA news agency the following month he would feel "vulnerable" if he were in Horner's shoes.
Red Bull won their first world championship in 2010, with Vettel taking four consecutive titles. Following a period of dominance by Mercedes, Red Bull rose again and in 2023 won 21 of the 22 races staged, with Verstappen setting a new record for 10 consecutive victories.
However, Verstappen has effectively ruled himself out of this season's race. He is 69 points behind championship leader Oscar Piastri at the midway stage of the 24-round season. Red Bull are 288 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ standings.
